Core Value: Open Door Policy

You are welcome just as you are! No church background, special clothes or Bible knowledge required! God knows you, cares deeply for you and we welcome as an honored guest anyone who is seeking Him.​A good number of people in our community attended church growing up. Many even tried to follow all of the rules and sacraments that they were instructed by their priests, pastors, and Sunday School teachers (not to mention parents). Many of us eventually walked away from that religious experience and heritage. The reasons for walking away are plentiful: religious traditions did not cross over to relevance in life, someone in the family felt hurt or dismissed by a clergy member, harmful habits took over (followed soon after by guilt and shame), and the list goes on. Those are the same types of people that Jesus had in view when we read, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36, NIV). The people (sheep) He saw were very much like us, identifying with some kind of religion, but simply feeling weighed down and burdened by its rules and disconnected and dismissed by its leaders (priests, pastors, etc.) and their teachings. That same compassion of Jesus drives and undergirds our passion for an “Open Door” policy.

Seven out of ten people at Open Arms Church today identify with the “sheep without a shepherd” picture Jesus spoke of: raised in church, but hadn’t attended church of any kind for a while. Then, via a lawn sign, a postcard, or a referral from a co-worker, neighbor, or family member, they heard about a new kind of church: one where you are accepted just as you are, and pointed to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came to replace guilt with forgiveness, weariness with rest, and hopelessness with assurance. As seen in Scripture, we are convinced that the resulting, steady growth of Open Arms Church over the last two decades is attributed only to the fact that many are being drawn to Jesus and the forgiven, contented life He offers (John 10:7-10).

Whether feeling harassed by religious rules, or feeling helpless and overwhelmed due to family wounds, unhealthy habits, unfulfilled dreams, financial collapses, or broken families … all are welcomed at Open Arms Church. We make an assumption that most in our community are not very familiar with the “Good News” that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. We realize many do not know that He alone – not our works or rule keeping – is the provider of peace with God the Father. Just as we realize that many in our community do not know these truths, we also realize the only reason we know such truths is because someone took the time to embrace us, teach us God’s Word with great patience, and let us know that we were sincerely welcomed - with no strings attached. So, “Welcome to Open Arms Church,” where it’s more than just something you’ll hear on Sunday morning. It’s a core value we all embrace because we all found for ourselves – regardless of whatever physical or spiritual condition we happened to be in at the time – an understanding, welcoming, and listening ear here at Open Arms.